Citrus Nationals Get Squeezed

By Kay Burk
Photos by Adam Cranmer

It looks like Dennis Rolansky's jet dragster
tried to dry the track, but to no avail.

When life hands you lemons, as the old saying goes, make
lemonade. That's just what they had to do at the Murray's Mountain Dew
Citrus Nationals at Moroso Motorsports Park. Day one of the competition
brought together racers from across the country to vie for a $25,000
purse. Unfortunately, the weather on day two did not cooperate, and
the racers opted to split the purse and call it a year.

Because of the closeness of the points chase, the Top
Sportsman class will finish their season competition at Orlando.

The Top Alcohol class featured a match up
between three-time and defending champion Michael Gunderson (above)
and Tony Bartone, former World Champion.

Bartone, now driving the Roger Dean Racing
TAD, set a new track record, running 5.35 on Friday and backing it up
on Saturday with a 5.36. He was also #1 qualifier.

Mike Smith (above) took the win over Chris
"The Greek" Karamesines (below) in the first of round of Top Fuel competition.